XII. Fire and Death

Gaining an authorization to take the genin training in the nearby mountainous area wasn't too hard, the Tsuchikage giving them the authorization to move about as they wanted as long as they kept Kurotsuchi and Han with them, and of course didn't enter any forbidden area.
While it wasn't usual by any measure for foreign shinobi to ask such freedom of movement during the Exam, it wasn't unheard of either, since different people used different training methods.
Kurotsuchi had been rather intrigued – but a training trip was always a good occasion, that much the young kunoichi knew.

While the Kaisengan weren't particularly impressive compared to the gigantic mountains of the Land of Lightning, it had the particularity of being the siege of numerous volcanic episodes, which meant Onoki's grand-daughter knew very well the area, where she went quite a bit of time training for her youton jutsu.
The change of landscape was good for the genin, all more used to the forests and lush areas of Hi and Taki no Kuni – not to mention that the lack of people around meant that the bijuu presents were free to stretch out a bit their body and chakra, something they couldn't do just anywhere.
The girl had been startled to realize how many jinchuuriki there were presents, but calmed soon enough, unknowingly impressing the Konoha contingent that were getting more than used to the primal reaction of fear all people seemed to share when it came to the nine siblings.

What had really intrigued her was why – why would Konoha nin, that while not at war weren't allied with her village, would so freely share the identity of their jinchuuriki.
While they hadn't shared the whole truth with her – Kagami and Yagami had told her one part of the truth relevant for a shinobi loyal to her village like her: there were missing-nin after the nine beasts, and she had access to a method that would help them get stronger to defend themselves.
Kkurotsuchi was intelligent enough to guess there was more to it – but between her talk with her grand-father when they'd arrived, and her own council, she knew that she wouldn't be told anything more; and that it was enough for her, at least for now.

Of course – the young goddess was keeping her senses out for the jinchuuriki supposed to be in the area, and had quickly realized that Onoki had been right to tell her to come here.
But the man she hadn't seen yet felt strong and stubborn to her Soul Sense, so once she felt him take notice of their presence she didn't act immediately, instead keeping up with the training routine of the genin – and the more difficult exercise the jounin were doing, having decided quickly that there was no reason not to take advantage of the calm and time to train too.
The man spent a few days spying on them from afar, impressing her with the way he managed to stay hidden despite the fact she knew it wasn't his forte – and she could feel his confusion, as it was rather rare for shinobi from different village to train together, then his shock as Chomei, Kokuo and Kagetsu were summoned and started to flare their chakra…

It took nearly ten days for the curiosity to finally win over stubbornness.
"Han."
"Roshi."
The two greeted each other laconically, Han having noticed his fellow Iwa jinchuuriki a few days after Yagami – Fuu following soon after, the tailed-beasts able the feel each other's presence when in close vicinity, even if their partner tried to hide.
"So… The bloody monkey has been raising up a storm in my mind the past few days." he mused, looking rather peeved "Impossible to even sleep!"
"SonGoku always was just as loud as as Kurama." Kokuo was the one to answer calmly, adding as an after thought toward the fox "I like you much more as Kagetsu."

The affirmation made Kurotsuchi roll her eyes – she had been afraid of course at first, even if she'd kept a good hold on it. But working side by side with the bijuu had soon made her realize that behind the terrifying powers, they were sentient being, each with their character, their flaws and qualities…
And even if Kokuo was clearly the more reasonable of the trio she knew – he also seemed to enjoy needling his siblings from time to time.
"Why should I let the monkey have it his way?"
"Well he's your partner, isn't he?" Fuu was the one to ask candidly

The word the girl had chosen startled the tall red-head – partner? He was more used to people choosing words like prisoner, burden or weapon when it came to the tailed-beast sealed within him.
But clearly, the bright-eyed jinchuuriki didn't agree.
Partner?
He eyed the three pairs that had approached him – the friendship between the seven-tail and her host was impossible to miss, but there was also a quiet and content camaraderie between Han and his five-tail, and the last one…
There was only on word to put on the feeling he could read in all the tailed-beasts eyed when they gazed upon the white-haired girl.
Love.
Not the romantic kind, of course – rather the limitless love only family members could share – and it was a feeling clearly returned by the little Konoha kunoichi.

¤.¤.¤

Roshi wasn't someone who trusted easily, no matter how much Yagami could feel he wanted to in this case.
And going into your mindscape – that left your body free to be attacked.
This is why she turned toward Kurotsuchi "You're going to take me hostage."
The affirmation startle everyone, but she explained further "I need to go into Roshi's mindscape, and he needs to know we wont attack him." a smile "So for as long as we're in his mind, you'll be holding a kunai to my throat."
Without much surprise, all the Konoha nin, Kagami and Inari first among them, looked like they strongly wanted to disagree – but all knew her well enough to know it would be useless.
"It's a wonder Ren isn't already completely grey-haired." Kagami sighed, gesturing for the Iwa kunoichi to go ahead and do as she had been asked to

Clearly – while she understood the why, Kurotsuchi didn't like the situation anymore than them.
Roshi's eyes widened, not having expected the proposal anymore than the others – but he inclined his head in silent thanks at the gesture, and soon, they were seated facing each other, the world was turning dark in a familiar way – and he was in his mind.
For a moment, he thought the giant red monkey he was keeping away from the world would attack the girl.
Instead, they embraced like family that hadn't seen each other's in a long while.

"You came back, Tsuki-hime."
The chakra beast's voice was rough – not heavy with his usual arrogance, but sad yet happy, clearly still not believing in what he was seeing.
"I did." she confirmed "I'm sorry for leaving."
"Your body was breaking down." the other answer, a clear contradiction to her apology "You couldn't have stayed longer." the beast set his brow against her shoulder "And if you're back, it means dangerous time are upon us."

Her lack of answer was confirmation enough, Roshi realized.
And when tailed-beasts were talking about danger, he couldn't help but shudder. How bad had things to be, for those beings as powerful as gods to be afraid?
"Her body was taken away, and we have her powers… But her mind is still here." Kagetsu answered in stead of the young jounin "Has been here ever since, in the darkness, trying to make her whole again."
"Trying to take back her powers and kill us in the same move." the intelligent primate understood easily enough

Roshi had to suppress a shudder.
He'd left Iwa because the Third Shinobi War had been too much for him – and he was thankful that Onoki didn't make a move to call him home despite how important jinchuuriki were to their village, even if he would never admit it to the old Tsuchikage. But from what little he was guessing from what they were – and weren't – saying, this could be far worse.
"Sorry for ignoring you." the white-haired girl apologized rather properly, making him huff in amusement
"You were reuniting with you family." he answered, gaining a surprised look from her
"I was." she agreed "You seem surprisingly tolerant of the bijuu for someone who doesn't listen to his own tenant." she mused

"Nobody knows better than a jinchuuriki that they aren't mindless beasts." he pointed out before shrugging "Nothing says we have to get along."
"Nothing says we don't have to!" SonGoku retorted
"See! Always disagreeing with me!"
"But to survive?"
"For that we'll work along." he admitted easily – he had no wish to die after all
"Like always." the monkey completed

And so the girl told her of the thing working in the shadows – a thing that had assembled multiple S-rank missing-nin, with the aim of gathering the nin bijuu and reunite them.
Which would not only destroy said bijuu's mind, but also kill their host when they were extracted.
By the end of the talk, the white-haired girl had worked her magic, and they'd left his mindscape, letting the monkey reunite with his siblings present in the real world.
By that time – he'd felt enough of her powers, like all the jinchuuriki, to know the Konoha kunoichi was in no way human.
Even if he wouldn't admit it – it was rather humbling to see a goddess get out of her way to help them, at the coast of her own health, if the state she was in afterward was to be believed.

"She… wasn't as bad after changing Kokuo." Han half-stated half-asked in a low voice that evening, as the genin were sleeping
"The gift she's using to grand a physical body to the bijuu isn't one she's had for long." the young Uzumaki jounin answered "And godly powers aren't meant to be used in the Mortal Realms… Using it two times in less than two weeks put a strain on her body."
Understanding dawned in all three Iwa nin's eyes – and if the next day, they went out of their way to help the genin instead of the white-haired girl, well…
There was no one to point it out.

¤.¤.¤

"It gives hope, doesn't it?"
Roshi turned his head toward the dark-haired shinobi – Uchiha Kagami, a name that had already been but a legend when he'd became a shinobi. And while the man looked only in his thirties, and was allegedly said legend's descendant, there was a monkey in his mind affirming him he was older than he looked.
"Shinobi from different villages working side by side peacefully." an amused smile "It was just the same in Suna once she all but adopted they jinchuuriki as a little brother." a shrug "It's rather paradoxical, for someone touched by Death to bring so much life around her… But fitting for us shinobi I guess."
Roshi agreed before he'd even processed the words.

The other was right after all – was it really so surprising for people who lived in a deadly trade like they did to thrive under the attention of the goddess holding the cold and familiar feel of it?
"But will it last?" he couldn't help but ask
"Peace couldn't exist without war." the goddess herself was the one to answer, before adding with a smile "It doesn't mean we aren't allowed to strive for peace, as long as we don't become obsessed by it."

Somehow, they'd gotten into a routine in the mountain – everyone going about his own training during the day, all jounin freely helping the genin when they asked for it, and the evening, the young goddess and the bijuu telling tales of the era of the Sage, and even the Uzumaki talking about the Warring Clans era that had preceded the villages.
It was surprisingly peaceful, for all that they were preparing for war.
When the month ended, they weren't eleven but twelve heading back to Iwa for the Tournament.
"I'm not staying along for long!" Roshi had warned the Tsuchikage, annoyed at how unsurprised the old man seemed to see him "But I wanted to see how this generation of brats would be faring!"
The next day, the two jinchuuriki were in the official tribune as body guards for their leader, Roshi wearing a hitai-ate he hadn't donned in years.

The Hokage had taken a look at the kirin and monkey who were lazying on the nearest roof, Iwa symbol around their neck and about the size of an Inuzuka nin-ken, and gained an amused smile "Well, I guess you've met my most regular head-ache."
The expression made all the Suna and Iwa shinobi laugh, leaving only the Raikage and his bodyguards intrigued.
"Since when do you all get along so well?" he grumbled "I'm not too surprised about the Kazekage but I sure as hell didn't expect the Hokage here!"
"We all have grudges we have difficulties putting to the side, but we've decided it wasn't very constructive for the future of our villages to held on them." Raza was the one to answer "You should try too, A, it's freeing."
The blond, nearly white-haired man grumbled but didn't answer as the announcer had started talking – and with that, the Tournament started.

¤.¤.¤

"Fuki VS Furoi… Fight!"
The girl that immediately jumped into the fight in the arena was quite different from the one that had been in Konoha six months before.
Her first move had been to sent a volley of kunai toward her opponent – and while the blond Kumo kunoichi pitched against her nimbly evaded them, she was stunned to realized all had some effects.
"I didn't see any tags?" Tsunade mused
"She put the seals on the blade themselves." Roshi was the one to answer, surprising her a bit "That girl has grown dangerous with her seals for one not of Uzumaki blood."
In the arena, the other kunoichi may not have understood what had happened – she had quickly concluded that getting touche by anything the other wielded was a bad idea.

A genjutsu shimmered in the air, and was immediately dropped – after all, people who used fuuinjustu were sensitive to chakra variation, and as such rather good at detecting even the more subtle illusions…
Soon, the two kunoichi were fighting with their fists, and if in that they were equals, the Kumo blond hadn't realized that the weapons scattered around the arena didn't all have the paralyzing and exploding effects she'd noted.
A step back – and she stumbled, not having expected the ground to be so loose under her feet, the effect of a seal usually used for gardening that had been hidden among the more dangerous kunai…
Fuki had jumped forward, taking advantage of her mistake, and pointing another blade under her throat.
"I lose." Furoi admitted, the announcer loudly announcing the end of the match

The next match pitched Arata, from Suna, against a genin from Iwa.
"He was nearly ready last time." Onoki mused as his genin was swiftly eliminated "I think you've already got one strong canditate for promotion."
"Orochimaru's failed attack may have been a tragedy for all those who lost their life, there's no denying it gave quite a wake up call to the genin present." Raza answered

"Tsukimaru VS Shinji… Fight!"
A call of "Juujin bunshin!" and two feral looking Inuzuka were standing side by side, rushing toward their opponent on all four.
The Iwa genin on his part was rushing through rather familiar hand-signs…
"Summoning as a genin?" Tsunade whistled "Impressive." her eyes widened as she was the beast called "Even moreso that it is this contract…" she added "Didn't the Araneko clan died out?"

"They did." Onoki confirmed "Shinji is an orphan, and blood tests prooved he's not related to them… But he's also a genius, and managed to gain the Mountain Lion Boss approval." a shrug
"Well, feline versus canine, this should be interesting." smirked Roshi
And indeed - it was.
Tsukimaru and her partner's Gatsuuga had been avoided thank's to the grey-haired genin jumping out of the way with as much grace as the feline he was working with – but far from being disappointed, Tsukimaru had only gained a wild smile at that, echoed by her adversary.

The next attack, the cougar was the one to head, ice forming under it's paws as the big feline rushed toward the Inuzuka girl – but it was Shiromaru who countered the attack with a fiery "Katon: Tsuuga!" while the girl herself had taken advantage of the mist raised by the two opposing elements to send a volley of shuriken at Shinji's feet, forcing the boy to jump back, nearly colliding with his own summon.
A genius the boy may be – he'd only been working with his summon for months at best.
While the Inuzuka and her partners had lived and trained together for six years already.

"It really was bad luck for him to be pitched against an Inuzuka." Tsunade mused as little by little, cat and genin were pushed back "He is quite skilled."
"He is." Onoki agreed "But still a bit green for promotion I think."
"He is young." Raza agreed – the Iwa genin was probably the youngest of the batch of contestants
A last exchange – and Shinji's partner was sent back to the Summoning Realm, while dangerously sharp canines were hoovering above his throat.
"I forfeit." he called, the proctor immediately ending the match, while Tsukimaru helped him up with a smile
"Not bad, for a feline." the Inuzuka praised with a teasing smile

The next match was pitching Shinji's team-mate against Takashi – and if the Suna genin was still stubbornly using two puppets…
This time, he was skilled enough with and without them to win his match.
Just like Raza had said – for the genin present, Konoha's invasion had been a violent wake up call.

Shinji's last team-mate entered the ring – and facing him, Naoki.
"Well, that was a waste of time." Onoki rolled his eyes "I'll have to remind my jounin that they're supposed to train all three of their genin, not only the one they like!"
"The worse is, he's punishing himself." Raza mused "After all, I doubt you won't promote Shinji… And his sensei will get stuck with the two leftovers he hasn't bothered to train properly."
At that – even A, who'd until now kept rather silent as he observed the changed dynamic between his three fellow kage, had to laugh.
After all – the Kazekage was right!

Oniki leaned forward as another of his genin entered the arena…
"Yoshimori VS Doroi… Fight!"
"Well," the Tsuchikage "there's no doubt about his skills."
"He was already rather good last time." Raza remembered "But his attitude was somewhat lacking…"
" His jounin-sensei assures me that's changed." Onoki mused as they all focused on the on-going fight
Doroi, the genin from Kumo was rather calm and collected – but clearly, his specialty was medical jutsu and he wasn't yet at a point where he could use that to protect himself efficiency.

The dark-haired, blue eye boy did try some genjutsu – but Yoshimaru too used them and as such detected them easily.
A well aimed suiton jutsu, and the match was over, and Yoshimori stepping forward to help his fellow genin up.
"Well, he's good to go." Tsunade commented with a smile - that was an attitude far different from the one the boy had demonstrated six months earlier from what she knew
Onoki nodded, with a smile both smug and satisfied.

"Noburo VS Karui… Fight!"
Once more, the Tsuchikage was clearly interested – Noburo after all had demonstrated a rather impressive mastery of taijutsu, in a style rather similar to his him, Karui, a red-head dark skinned kunoichi from Kumo was the first to rush into the fight.
"She is skilled…" Tsunade mused as the kunoichi managed to dance around Noburo's attack and launch her own attack "Enhancing her kenjutsu with elemental jutsu as a genin isn't something everyone can do."
"But still too hot-head." A grumbled with a sigh as the girl seemed to grow frustrated with the fact Noburo was avoiding her attack too, and made her first mistake
And indeed – a few moments later, Noburo was managing to slip within the range of the girl, making her drop her blade with a well-aimed punch before knocking her out.

"Karin VS Rin… Fight!"
"Hu… Wasn't she a Grass kunoichi last time?" Onoki couldn't help but wonder
"She's an Uzumaki." Tsunade answered
"Oh right, that red-head menace took over the role of Clan Head." the Tsuchikage mumbled, still remembering the impressive skills Inari had displayed in Suna
In the arena, Karin was clearly having some difficulties against the Iwa kunoichi who favoured the sword.

"Uh. She seems still shaky on her basis." Onoki mused - it was surprising, given the skill the other Uzumaki from Konoha had demonstrated lately
"Clearly, her taijutsu isn't bad but still only genin-level." A had to agree "Only her impressive stamina and ability to dodge have saved her."
"That's because those bastards from Kusa didn't train her." Tsunade answered, eyes darkening as she remembered the first time she'd done a medical check-up on Karin and realized how she'd been used by the Grass shinobi "She's only got those sixth month since the last Exam under her belt."
"Why is she here then?"

Tsunade smiled, as in the arena, Rin started to slow down "Because while she still has some gaps in her training…. She is skilled enough to be here."
"Seals, uh." Onoki recognized "Blood seals."
"She's a natural." Tsunade nodded
Indeed – while Karin wasn't quite yet up there when it came to here taijutsu, she had quickly demonstrated impressive abilities in medical training and fuuinjutsu. If she wasn't yet as skilled as Naruto with the more complex seals, she had surpassed him when it came to using her seals in fight by using her blood as a medium.
A's eyes were wide at the affirmation – after all, blood seals hadn't been seen in decades in the shinobi world. Not since Uzushioagakure's fall.

Rin's grey eyes hardened as she realized that she'd been touched by something – and having recognized her opponent's clan name, she came to the right conclusion.
She jumped back, trying to localize where the seal was – but in the time it took her to find it, Karin had managed to get the drop on her thank's to a kage bunshin.
Rin's only half-dogded the blow – but in that moment she managed to counter-attack.
A few meters appart, the two girl eyed each other before smiling – Karin's large an infectuous Uzumaki grin, Rin's calmer but just as heart-felt.

"I think we're both done." the Iwa kunoichi mused lightly
"Yeah." Karin agreed
Raza nodded his approval "A reasonable decision."
"Their mind is in the right place." Tsunade agreed "But I think Karin still should polish her basic skills a bit more, fuuinjutsu won't always save her."
"Same for Rin." Onoki agreed

"Yakumo VS Kankuro… Fight!"
"The clan Kurama has a new genin?" the Kazekage mused, rocognizing the insignia on her clothes "She looks to be the same age as the others, how come she wasn't in the previous Exam?"
"She wasn't a kunoichi yet." Tsunade
"Is something always happening in your village nowadays?" Raza mused, looking rather amused
"Blame Yami-chan. That's what I do." the Hokage answered blandly, making Onoki snort, echoed by his two jinchuuriki bodiguards

"Yami-chan?"
Onoki pointed toward the contestant area, where the genin, but also their jounin-sensei were assembled "That little white-haired brat that's waving at us."
"How…" A didn't finish his sentence, not seeing the point to – there was no way she'd known they were talking about her after all
"Yagami-san is part of those people that defies all logic." Onoki sighed, Raza agreeing solemnly by his side "As skilled as she is, I don't envy the head-aches that must come with being her Kage." he added, nodding his head in commiseration toward the Hokage

"Don't remind me about it… I thought sensei was mocking me when he told me to always have sake at hand, and be ready to seal the office whenever she came back from mission…"
This time even the two masked Anbu that were here as her bodyguard snorted loud enough to be heard – after all, as much as they loved her, both Hound and Raven knew Tsunade was right, chaos followed young goddess' every steps.

Yakumo's match was over rather quickly – even if she was very skilled with her illusions, Kankuro had recognized her clan name easily and been ready to dispel any and all genjutsu…
Not to mention, the Suna genin had skillfully hidden himself away, his puppet disgised as him having fooled for an instant the kunoichi.
It had been more than enough – Yakumo's genjutsu had targeted the puppet instead of the puppeteer, and after that, he had been the one on the offensive.
Between his mastery of his puppet, and his ability to control even the weapons scattered around the battleground with his chakra-string, Kankuro was a fearsome opponent.
"Well, Raza, seems your last child is up for a promotion." Tsunade mused
"Thankfully." the Kazekage agreed "I don't think I could have lasted six more months with his complaining about the fact even his younger brother was promoted..."

The next match was between an Iwa kunoichi whose skills rather unexpectedly combined douton jutsu and medical jutsu and the hot-headed blond from Kumo the Konoha genin had already encountered during their stay in the Labyrinth.
While far from being unskilled, using a combination of kenjutsu and katon jutsu, the genin entered the fight underestimated the girl in front of him, and got only more and more frustrated as he didn't manage to land any lasting blow on the other genin.
"Tch." A grumbled as the Iwa kunoichi finally managed to knock out the boy with a well-aimed doton jutsu "Can't believe this brat's attitude after all the times his sister told him not to let his temper get the best of him..."

The next match was once more opposing an Iwa versus a Kumo genin.
Midori, the kunoichi from Iwa, was rather calm and focused, and had on top of her formation as a medic nin rather good skills at kenjutsu.
Unluckily for her, if Omoi, her adversary, looked rather laid back – his skills truly shone with a blade in hands a lightning to his call.
Even if she defended herself as best as she could – Midori wasn't skilled enough to win against her opponent.

And finally, the last match of the first round was called.
"Fuu VS Retsui… Fight!"
Retsui was a suiton jutsu specialist.
"Well, that's the bad luck of the draw for you." Han mused as the Kumo nin was the first to attack in the arena, hand flowing through the hand-signs of a water technique
"What would you know about that?" A couldn't help but ask "You seem to know the Konoha contingent rather well."
"I was the jounin in charge of them." the five-tailed jinchuuriki shrugged, seeing no need to hide it "So of course I saw quite a bit of the genin's training."

"And…" whatever question A was about to ask, he didn't finish his sentence "That's girl's at least jounin-level already!" he realized
Indeed – if the ease with which she'd escaped the water-bullet rushing toward her was something even skilled genin could achieve if they were skilled in taijutsu, what followed wasn't something just anyone would do.
After all – it already took a skilled chuunin to cast a "Suiton: suiryuudan no jutsu" in normal circomstances – but right now, they were in a dusty arena, in the middle of the rather dry weather of Tsuchi no Kuni.

Being able to call that much water from only the moisture in the air – like A had said, it took jounin-level skill.
"Yes, Fuu is very skilled, but her previous village didn't have other genin to send with her to take the exam." Tsunade explained, making the other kage note the fact she did in fact wore two hitai-ate
"And how did you convince Takigakure to part with one of their few skilled shinobi?"
"By chance mostly. We had a team there when a missing-nin tried to take over their village, we helped and offered the service of the Uzumaki to protect them better…"
"And got quite the prize in exchange."
"Fuu is her own person, not simply a prize to be exchange between villages." a shrug "She also wanted to come and meet more people her age."

¤.¤.¤

The doton users didn't take long to clean up the arena before the start of the second round.
"Fuki VS Arata… Fight!"
The two genin were rather similar in their skill set, both having a rather comprehensive knowledge of traps and skilled with taijutsu and having already proved to possess a mind able to think on their feet and adapt during a fight.

Arata had on his side experience, as he had graduated a year before Fuki – but the kunoichi had for her her fuuinjutsu skills.
The match was fast, and complicated – traps hidden within traps, on-the-fly changes in plans…
By the end of it, Fuuki had finally tagged Arata with a paralyzing seal – but the boy had caught her with a similarly acting poison at the same time.
A tie was called, and both contestants got out of the battleground amicably.

"Well, we've got two more chuunin here I'd say." A mused "Seems like the rumors about Konoha's current generation of genin weren't exaggerated."
"They are motivated." Tsunade agreed "Having their classmates graduate and be promoted early lit a fire in this generation that is seldomly seen in times of peace."
"All the better for them. We never know how long peace will last in our world." Onoki praised "Some of my genin could stand to find a bit of that motivation."
"Yeah, their skills aren't lacking, but the mind to be a good leader isn't something everyone develop naturally."

"Yet it's seems you've managed rather well with your own batch of genin." Onoki added while the next two genin entered the ground
"Tsukimaru VS Takashi… Fight!"
"Well, time to see if he's better prepared to defend against an Inuzuka this time." Kaza mused
"He's proved already he's better than last year." Onoki mused "But enough to win against two partners that have already proved the strength their team-work?"
Onoki was right to have his doubts, it turned out.

While it wasn't the one-sided fight his battle against Kiba had been, and Takashi had improved quite a bit his mastery over his two puppets – it was soon clear that it wasn't enough against the perfect duo between the kunoichi and her nin-ken.
Still – despite being pushed back little by little, the Suna genin did inflict his damage on the pair, eventually knocking out Shiromaru…
Then forfeiting.
Raza nodded, while Onoki whistled "Well, that's three for three for you, eh Raza."
"Indeed." the Kazekage agreed, looking rather smug – after all, like the Tsuchikage had pointed out, the three genin he'd sent for the Exam had already all earned their promotion

"Naoki VS Yoshimori… fight!"
The two genin eyed each other for afar for a moment, chakra flaring before they jumped into action.
Both boys were skilled with genjustu – but Naoki may have the advantage of the Sharingan, Yoshimori was proving the more subtle as the Konoha genin dispelled only half of his next illusion…
Of course, the effect wasn't seen immediately, as it had been a rather small genjutsu.

It was as they switched from illusions to more concrete jutsu that the effect was finally seen, the normally perfect aim of the Uchiha off by a few centimeters as the katon and suiton jutsu clashed.
Still, Naoki wasn't an Uchiha for nothing, and the small deviation was enough for him to realize something was off and with a flash of sharingan dispel the lingering genjutsu.
The next exchange, Naoki slashed through the "Suiton: shigure!" with a kunai propelled by a "Fuuton: reppushou!".
"Wind affinity for an Uchiha?" a surprised Raza mused
"Not much of one." Roshi corrected "But the brat wanted a hidden ace."
"Well, it may be a simple C-Rank jutsu, he chose well." A praised "After like Raza just proved… Wind isn't an affinity people expect from an Uchiha."

The fight continued, Yoshimori and Naoki about equivalent – whenever one took the advantage, the other would somehow rise up to the challenge.
"Chuunin material, both of them." Onoki mused "But this time, my brat is the best."
Much as she wanted to deny it – Tsunade didn't, as she could see too that little by little, Yoshimori was taking the advantage.
Eventually, both stopped, looking winded but not yet exhausted – and Naoki deactivated his sharingan, before putting away his kunai.
"Eh. I can't win against you without doing something rash that would put me out of the competition either way." he admitted "I forfeit."
Yoshimaru stood down too, before admitting "I'm sure taking you out would have winded me. Good match!"

"Noburo VS Kankuro… fight!"
Once more, the match was rather close.
Kankuro, even if he only had one puppet, used it better than Takashi – and Noburo was shaping out to be a taijutsu prodigy of the same kind as Lee or Neji.
The Iwa genin was swift enough to twist and turn between the puppet's attacks – but Kankuro was adaptative enough to always dodge in time or have said puppet save him from the other shinobi's powerful doton enhanced fists.
Finally, after a few exchanges, both genin stilled – Noburo's fist hovering near Kankuro's mid-section – and Kankuro's kunai hovering at the boy's back.
A smile – and both stepped down, as the proctor called the tie.

Given the uneven number of contestant that had gotten out of the first round, Fuu was given a free pass for the third round, while the last match of the second round was between Omoi of Kumo and Yasuko from Iwa.
Yasuko had already proved rather skilled in her previous match against Atsui – but Omoi had are displayed sheer genius with a blade.
"Well, it's not that she's unskilled." A had to admit as she girl lost "I would even say she's up for promotion…"
"Indeed. Your genin was just that much better." Onoki confirmed – and indeed, the genin's skills with a blade were about jounin-level

¤.¤.¤

And with that – the third round was starting…
"Tsukimaru VS Yoshimori… fight!"
By this point of the competition, all the shinobi remaining were clearly ready for the chuunin rank, as such, even if they were starting to feel the strain of the previous battle, the battle were only getting more and more true shows of skills.

As such, even the Inuzuka kunoichi didn't jump head-first in the battle, instead calling for a "Juunjin bunshin" to confuse the other.
But Tsukimaru wasn't done – as isntead of two feral silhouette, there were now three.
"Kage bunshin?" Tsunade recognized easily "Well, her chakra reserve must have progressed nicely during the month that's for sure!"
Yoshimaru did try to make an arena-wide genjutsu to trap bother kunoichi and nin-ken – but he hadn't accounted for the kage bunshin, having mistaken it for an elemental clone.
But it wasn't and the genjutsu was dispelled by it.

Reacting immediately, the Iwa genin was already rushing through the hand-signs of a suiton jutsu – but facing him, Tsukimaru and Shiro were already rushing toward him with a Gatsuuga that he only avoided by stopping his jutsu to jump back – directly into the kage bunshin's own jutsu, a rather impressive "Katon: kaen senpuu!" that unleashed an inferno of fire against him.
After that – Yoshimaru was on the defensive, and while he managed to land a few blows, it was soon pretty evident he wouldn't take the upper hand again.
Understanding that too, Yoshimaru gave his all to land one last jutsu before forfeiting, satisfied with his performance.
Tsukimaru nodded, her eyes conveying that she was indeed impressed.
After all – while ha hadn't really hurt Shiromaru, she doubted the nin-ken would be very effective in her next fight.

"Omoi VS Fuu… fight!"
This fight – wouldn't be easy, all knew from the start, as the two concurrent were clearly the best of the tournament, and both already jounin-level skill-wise.
Fuu, while she did use a tanto wasn't as skilled as Omoi with his own – but she was fast, probably the faster opponent he'd fought against up until now, and soon the rather laid-back Kumo nin was gaining a new glint in his eyes at was becoming pretty clear he would finally have to really work for a win.
Fuu's smile was wild as she too realized her opponent would make her show off more skills, and while Omoi cut through her "Suiton: suijin!" , she rushed through the hand-signs for summoning.

"Lucky Seven, do your thing!"
"Sure thing!"
"Lucky Seven?" Onoki repeated as a large beetle appeared – if she didn't have the typical seven wings she normally sported in her larger form, the Tsuchikage didn't have any doubt about just what had been called in the arena
Fluttering wings sent a sea of shimmer around the arena, momentarily blinding Omoi.
The genin, rather impressively, managed to partially parry incoming attack by Fuu, even if her kick did push him several meters away.
"Kumo-ryu: damashigiri!"
Fuu stumbled back, having nearly fooled by the skillful deception of the Kumo kenjutsu's attack. Not letting go of his advantage, he immediately followed by three kage bunshin, raising impressed whispers in the crowd "Ura kasumigiri!"

The move was rather well done – the three clones forcing Fuu to jump in the air to avoid their attack, leaving her wide open for a heavy attack from the air by the real Omoi.
Except – Omoi couldn't have accounted for Fuu's spontaneously manifesting shimmering chakra wings as soon as she was in the air, as even if Chomei was out there, most of her chakra was still within the girl.
Twisting on himself in the air, Omoi couldn't completely dodge the aerial counter-attack from both beetle and kunoichi, a powerful water bullet sending him directly into the summon's own jutsu.

The Kumo nin reached the ground worse for the wear, but still smiling – and despite the weariness clearly starting to settle in, he didn't pause for more than a moment, sending a volley of kunai toward Chomei and rushing in the opposite direction, toward Fuu…
Before using a seal-less kawarimi at the last second with one of his own kunai, landing right in front of the summon and sending her directly back into her seal with a lightning fast"Kumo-ryu: mikazukigiri!".
The sensation of her bijuu settling back inside her mindscape stunned Fuu for a fraction of second, just enough time for Omoi to turn back and rush toward her – but she'd already gotten a grip on herself and rushing thought the hand-signs for "Takigakure-ryu: mizukiri no yaiba!".

The water blade clashed against Omoi's sword, surprising him an instant as she hadn't been that skilled with her tanto earlier – and in an instant he realized that contrarily to earlier, she was fighting with her left-hand.
She'd led him on at the beginning of the fight by using her off-hand!
The realization came too late, as the attack had been enough to throw his balance just enough for the next kick to throw him to the ground, while the Konoha kunoichi all but climbed on him, blade in hand.

"I forfeit." he called toward the proctor
"That was an impressive display of skill." Raza whistled "That boy is well on his way to become a kenjustu master!"
In the arena, Fuu had helped the boy up – then knocked him right back to the ground as he took advantage of her help to steal a kiss, making the dark-skinned girl blush a bright-red.
"Young love." Onoki laughed, before adding "Not only a kenjustu master, but gutsy as well, to dare seduce a Konoha kunoichi!"

¤.¤.¤

While not uninteresting – the final match was rather anticlimactic compared to Fuu and Omoi's showdown, the orange-eyed girl's victory rather evident.
"So… You're rather freely displaying a jinchuuriiki that wasn't supposed to be in your hands?" A mused, glancing Tsunade with distrust clear in his eyes "Yet the other two don't seem that bothered. What the fuck happened for all of you to suddenly be all buddy-buddy?"
All three kage eyed each other's for a moment, then Tsunade asked "Do you want a bunch of political answers or the truth?"

The Raikage rolled his eyes, temper clearly rising "The fucking truth of course!"
"Nearly dying together helped." Raza answered with a shrug
"And realizing there was more to the world than petty arguments…" Onoki added with a shrug
"Petty arguments? We're shinobi! We don't trust each other's!" A protested
"Eh… There are force at work more dangerous than us in this world, forces that don't care about the shape of the symbol on our hitai-ate." Tsunade affirmed "We've all fought each other before, so no one has any right to keep more grudge than the other… And I'd rather work with any of you than fall in front of the bastard that would destroy us all."

It wasn't enough for the Raikage.
Not yet.
But a seed of doubt had been planted, and A couldn't help but comment "You're talking about someone specific."
"We are." she agreed "All our jinchuuriki have to grow stronger, not only for their village, but to protect themselves. And our world."
A file appeared out of nowhere, and she tossed it toward the man "Here. Take it, read it, decide for yourself."
The Raikage eyed the file, the word "Akatsuki" in bold letter. And while all his instincts urged him not to trust the other kage, the look in their eyes was serious enough that he took it.

But for now – it was time to put this to the side, and focus back on the promotions to be handed out. With that, the kage stepped out of the VIP tribune, down toward the battleground.
The genin were all hopeful, but rather calm as they waited together for the Kage to make their way to them in the Arena…
Raza stepped forward first "Kankurou, Arata, Takeshi, congratulation, chuunin of Sunagakure!"
"Omoi, Doroi, you are now chuunin of Kumogakure!" A announced next
Tsunade followed "Naoki, Tsukimaru, Fuki, Fuu, congratulation, new chuunin of Konohagakure!"
Finally, Onoki stepped forward too "Yoshimori, Shinji, Noburo, Rin, chuunin of Iwagakure, congratulation!"
An approving roar was heard in the crowd, and the genin were met with what friends and family were present, and of course their jounin-sensei and fellow genin congratulating or consoling them.

Trying not to be too evident, A kept an eye on the white-haired girl that looked barely adolescent, the second jounin-sensei by her side looking nearly identical to her beyond the hair and gender…
What he noted first – was the way the genin from Suna and Konoha amicably mingled, in a way really unusual event between allied villages.
There had only been a couple of Exam session he hadn't attended and suddenly, the world had changed!

"So, you think he listened?" Tsunade asked her Anbu bodyguards as the Konoha contingent started to head out of town
"Listened, yes." Hound nodded sedately "Heard…" a shrug, and Raven was the one to complete
"Not quite yet…"
"Had an interesting talk?" Inari asked at the exchange
"The Raikage didn't expect to see so little animosity between our three villages."

Indeed – even if Iwa wasn't quite as friendly as Suna was toward Konoha, their attitude had already started to change, notably thanks to Kurotsuchi's own attitude.
As young and brash as she was – the girl was also the grand-daughter of their leader, and a skilled kunoichi respected in her own right, with all the reasons to blame the shinobi from Hi no Kuni.
If she could change – quite a few of them took it to mean they too could.

[Life Quest Complete! Trials in the Land of Earth...
the chuunin exams are back again, and held in Iwagakure this time around, where plenty of adventures for all awaits...
Goal complete: Chuunin Exam first test complete (2/2)
Goal complete: Chuunin Exam second test complete (2/2)
Bonus goal complete: help lessen the animosity between villages
Hidden goal complete: meet with Iwa's jinchuuriki (2/2)
Bonus goal complete: befriend Kurotsuchi
Goal: gain a promotion via the Chuunin exam (4/6)
Hidden goal complete: alert A about the Akatuski's risk
...

Reward: 8*10XP, +4 Perk Point
Bonus reward: +2*20XP, +1 Elemental Skill Book
Hidden reward: +3*20XP, +1 B-rank Jutsu to be chosen, +250 000 ryo shared between Inventory]

[Konoha jounin Level up!
You are now level 102(+1lv +2CP, +10SP), Kagami is now level 123(+1lv), Inari is Level max]
[Team12 level up!
Naoki is now level 65(+3lv), Tsukimaru is now level 65(+2lv), Fuuki is now level 65(+3lv)]
[Team15 level up!
Yakumo is now level 50(+3lv), Karin is now level 52(+3lv), Fuu is now level 73(+2lv)]

They arrived back in Konohagakure not a day too soon – something rather unexpected had been uncovered during their time in Iwa…
If Sarenhes had quenched his thirst thanks to Yagami when in the desert, the time came eventually for the vampire to have to find sustenance once more. Of course, since they'd known it would come, Ren had been nearby to help – only to realize that not only his blood didn't help, but on the contrary was nearly toxic for the man of Mu!
Volunteers had been found to help, as apparently regular humans worked as well as they always had – that is to say quenching his thirst, but for far less time than Yagami's own blood.

While they weren't quite sure, it was rather easy for those that knew about all the concerned holy nature to have a guess, all but confirmed when Anko an Sasuke's blood proved particularly effective… It was paradoxically yet somewhat logically the touch of Death that sustained better the man, and conversely, the very Life imbued within Ren's own blood was naturally dangerous for the only specimen of the undead species currently existing on the planet.
The young goddess didn't waste any time – and the day following her return, Anko and Sasuke had met with Sarenhes and her in the underground room they'd already prepped while she was away.

¤.¤.¤

Yagami was rather anxious – she knew they'd done all the research they could, it was still the first time she would voluntarily mess with the soul of not only an immortal, but a true deity.
While she'd already modified some immortal souls with the bijuu, it had been much more a matter of Soul and Revolutionary Art than Abyssine Art, since it had included giving a soul to the beasts born from Kaguya's powers, and change those souls into Holy Servants from the Immortal Realms to cope with the immortality they inevitably had gained from the source of their origin.
But – as much as they had the nearest thing to a god's eternal life, they weren't quite eternal since Kaguya, or even another god, could unmade them.
On the other hand…

Sarenhes was a true god.
Inari and Ren of course, knew what their mother and mate was doing – but in this case neither could help because of their link too strong with Life.
Sasuke and Anko had spent quite a bit of time during the month Yagami spent in Iwa learning how to harness the variation of chakra that was the evolution of Reiki – and it had been rather destabilizing, as both were far more accustomed to use their chakra for battle. Had both been adept at fuuinjutsu, it would have been less strange for them – but they had managed nonetheless, their reputation of prodigies proving true once more.

And finally, all four were in the underground room, the two holy servants in two small secondary circles framing a third, far large circle where both deities were standing, Sarenhes nearly naked, with quite a bit of sealing on his body too, the complicated blood-written fuuin rather logically centered over where the eight gates of the chakra system would be in someone who did have a chakra circulatory system.
Around them, the three circles flared to life, and with them, Shadow's own powers, a storm of gold and green barely held in check and focused by the heavy seal-work.
Anko and Sasuke, focused on their own parts, still noticed as once more, Yagami's eyes took the shape of the sharingan – but for the colors, and ethereal powers. As for the goddess herself, all her attention was focused on Sarenhes, and even beyond the other god, seeing something only she could.

And indeed – not even Sarenhes could see the world around them like she did thanks to her Revolutionary Art, and the unique way it twisted and linked to her fellow Earth-bound deity.
Between the powers of Death and Chaos, no one else could see the world and the people like she currently was, and suddenly, the soul-meddling that had so worried her mere moments before was simple and evident, the seals around her needed more to restrain her powers and keep them from overwhelming her mortal body than anything else…
In the middle of the circle, Death and Chaos surged, and the god's scream of pain was blood-curling, as he was kept upright only thanks to Yagami's firm grasp around his waist.

[Hallows skill reached level 70/100!
Chaos skill reached 40/50!]

Three more tails split in Yagami's back, as Sarenhes and her fell to the ground, unconscious – on each side, Sasuke and Anko had fallen on their knees too, and while still awake, were both edging on chakra exhaustion.
Then, as Inari and Ren barged into the room, a rain of notifications appeared for all to see.

[Hidden Quest Complete! Old and New World…
You've healed an old friend…
Goal complete: Sarenhes now has a working Chakra System
Bonus Goal complete: you've used Fuuinjutsu to help offset the Divine Powers effects on you
Hidden Goal complete: You've used the help of Holy Servants to help offset the Divine Powers effects on you
Hidden Goal complete: you've unlocked your first affiliated deity
Reward: +40XP, Sarenhes unlocks Chaos Game 4.0, +10SP
Bonus Reward: +25XP, +1PP
Hidden Reward: +2*160XP, +2*20SP]

[Level up! You are now level 105!
6CP, +30SP]

[Holy System update!
Sarenhes of Mu (minor planet-bound deity, level max) is now affiliated to you]

[Main Characteristic update!
Your species is now set to Ookami Daiyoukai / MajorFire Element / Ryu Hanyou / Child of a New World
Ookami True Form (you may look human, you aren't) is now unlocked
Elemental Core(the source of life of an element isn't their vital organ) is now unlocked
Soul Shade (the flames of your soul have awakened) is now unlocked
Chakra System (the source of life and power of everyone born since the Disaster) was already unlocked]
[Sarenhes Main Characteristic update!
Sarenhes species is now set toMuhan / Vampire / Child of a New World
Soul Shade (the flames of your soul have awakened) was already unlocked
Blood Singer (the source of you life now lies in your veins) was already unlocked
Chakra System (the source of life and power of everyone born since the Disaster) is now unlocked

[Chaos Game update!
Soul Shade Skill Line unlocked
Soul Shade Perks unlocked
Powers of old that have laid dormant for centuries are now ready to be awakened again by those who will find them]

It was the first time, Ren mused as his son and him helped the four participants of the ritual – the first time that the effect of an update from Chaos Game was felt so clearly by all…
But this time, he'd felt the knowledge at the background of his mind, still partially leashed by Chaos' bindings, snap to the front, while the bond he's thought broken with reincarnation fell back in place.
While Ren didn't have the mastery over his Soul Fire Ryoichi or Renato had – the bond between Sun and Sky had suddenly reappeared, like a song that had been in the background, nearly forgotten, for too long, that suddenly rose once more.
A feeling of home and harmony.

¤.¤.¤

But Ren wasn't the only one to feel it.
Beyond space – on another world entirely – a regal dragon felt the Storm within his soul hum in relief, a deadly shiro inu's violet Cloudy flames roared in satisfaction, a powerful Holy Servant felt the ocean of blue fire in his soul fell once more in a familiar rhythm he'd never forgotten, a Fae with misty eyes and a soul just as Misty laughed in happiness at the feeling of not being alone once more…
In her coma, Yagami's frowned as her soul felt a missing bond – but the grimace didn't last very long, as she had promised long ago to let go of those who had to meet her Brother.

On Gaia, four of the most important people alive on the planet assembled in a shiro older than life on the planet.
"She's back." a smile "Our Sky is back." Silvana Argento smiled happily – and if there were tears in her eyes, no one was crass enough to point it out
"Just like you had foretold, Queen of the Four Courts." Sesshoumaru added, voice rather calm – but the joy burning in his eyes impossible to miss
"When shall we go?" Ryukossei asked, anticipation barely contained in his voice
And – there was no doubt they would go.

"This Sesshoumaru's heirs have taken over the ruling of his lands a long time ago." the daiyoukai answered, the slip into old speech one more proof of how little control he had over his own emotions right now
"The Fae don't really need that much supervision," Silvana waved her hands in dismissal as she affirmed this "but my daughter is still more than up to the task."
The ryu shrugged "Elder Long I may still be, there aren't all that much of my kind left in Gaia anymore." he pointed out "All my duties are now calling me back to Earth."
All eyes turned to the Holy Servant, who rolled his eyes "All the Shinigami under my orders know better than to disobey Death's laws, but I still have a replacement ready, of course." an amused smile "Even if she is going to be jealous, Botan knows that we have the advantage of having access to the Immortal Realms."

It was true – and it was the other reason why they had all known that they would see their Sky again. KoEnma, as the main Holy Servant in charge of Death's duty on their planet, had been able to communicate with his patron deity once he'd been separated from Reikai, and while Death couldn't told him much, the god had told him the most important.
Taishou Tsukiko – his Sky and Alpha – had become Earth-bound during the Disaster, and had finally been reincarnated on the very same planet.
The young goddess – had a harsh destiny ahead of herself in their old world…
But because she had ascended a second time, their bonds weren't broken.

And so – they'd prepared patiently.
For the time she would be reborn, and powerful enough once more to call them home.
And finally – finally – after twenty-five centuries, the time had come.
Of course, going back to their old world wouldn't be a simple undertaking, nor a short one, but what were a few more months or years after all this time?

¤.¤.¤

While on another planet old friends prepared, Shadow slept.
Days turned into weeks and months, the House of Moon and all the shinobi she'd made bonds with came to visit her, and left again for missions, and still she slept.
This time – Ren wasn't the murderous bundle of nerves he'd often been whenever his mate had overused her powers in a Divine Act.

Not that he liked the fact she had to once more use powers that were dangerous for her body, of course. But Chaos had warned him that this would be a dangerous incarnation, and while of course using so much Divine Powers ad put a heavy strain on the young goddess, he could also feel the changes that had been wrought to her body…
Yagami – was barely Yagami anymore, more and more of Tsukiko's old powers breaching through, and he had no doubts that by the time she did what Chaos had asked of her and sealed Kaguya's powers, she would be the closest to Shadow she could be in the Mortal Realm.

To keep his mind off his sleeping mate, Ren had been quick to find himself a side hobby beside his missions with Kagami.
And it just so happened that in her latest bout of Godly Powers, she had changed the world…
Not, of course, that most people realized it – it was still at its beginning.
But now that he knew his own flames once more, he could also feel the faint echoes of Soul Fire in all people around him – stronger most of the time among shinobi, of course, the will to survive being something quite a lot of them understood well…

His knowledge of Flames also let him realize something rather quickly - that just like most of the gifts of the old world, Soul Fire had changed since the disaster. As such – he refrained from saying to much about them to the multitude of Chaos Game holder they were surrounded with, instead letting them look into the topic by themselves, and doing the same himself – approaching the gift of his first life as a shinobi rather than a hitman.
Soul Fire – was still as powerful as it had been back in the days – but in a world of chakra, that wasn't life changing, merely new even if still useful. And more interestingly, the Flames that used to resonate with the Ley Lines now echoed within the very body of it's user.
Neji and Lee had been the one to approach him about the new power first – and it was soon clear why…

Each of the Gates Lee could open in his taijutsu style were linked to a type of flame, so Neji in his sparring with the chuunin, had soon realized that something more was happening now that Soul Fire had awakened, since he could quite literally see that something new was happening within the other's chakra system.
With Lee as a starting point, Neji had started to observe a bit more people around him – Ren telling him which Flame he felt from them, and it had been rather easy to pair each Flame with a Gate: Kaimon the gate of opening was more open in Sun Flame bearer while Ren himself had the gate all but permanently opened. In the same way, Kyuumon, the gate of healing pertained to Lightning Flames, Seimon the gate of life to Rain Flames, Shoumon the gate of pain to Storm Flames, Tomon the gate of limit to Mist Flames, Keimon the gate of view to Cloud Flames, Kyoumon the gate of wonder to Sky Flames.

As for the last gate – Shimon, the gate of death.
No living being had been seen with that gate active.
Of course, Ren had had his own insight on the topic – and an activation of byakuyan in the room where two deities slept on was enough to confirm his thoughts…
The last gate was wide open in Yagami, and partially in not only Sarenhes but Inari too.
There was only one type of Flames the hitman could think of that fit those three – the Black Flames of death used by the Vindice, flame no living being could use; but of course, the three deities weren't mere living being, they were all touched by Death…

As for why Lee's usage of the Eight Gates was so different of their effect when it came to Flames – part of it was the fact the boy could forcefully open them all, while on the contrarily learning to awaken their Flame naturally opened them for a Soul Fire user.
It naturally meant that Lee's way was much more dangerous, and difficult to learn – but more powerful when in use. It also meant that the boy was the first to get a handle on what Flames should feel like and learn to call them – and that he was the only person they knew that possessed an equal affinity for all seven Flames living being could use.

By the time the next chuunin Exam came by, to be held in Kumo, all of Chaos Game players had managed to awaken their Flames – and even those without the convenient tool were either well on their way or Active too.
Kurenai, Asuma and Inari had also agreed on mixing their team to have two three-man cells - and they were going to Kumo, for the first time since the failed attempt at kidnapping Hinata when she was a child.
It was a risky move – even moreso that A was still wary of the new-gained understanding between villages Iwa, Suna and Konoha had demonstrated the previous time – but one necessary to prove to the Raikage they had no intention to discriminate against him, and remind him of the threat he'd been warned about.

So Inari would be jounin-sensei for Yakumo, Karin and Tenten, while Asuma would lead Shino, Ino and Chouji for the duration of the event, with Ren tagging along as Diplomatic Envoy.
Some had been a bit surprised at the fact the jounin didn't seem to mind to much heading out for a mission that would be lasting several weeks while Yagami was still in a coma – but it was Sasuke that held the answer.

Sasuke – that just like Ren had an all-encompassing Sky that felt like home, even with one mostly hidden away in the depth of Anbu Headquarter and the other traveling around with a Sannin.
Because really – there had never been any doubt about the fact that Naruto's was the Sky to Sasuke's Clouds…
And a bond that reached so deep within their soul – it meant they didn't need to be by each other's side always, because they knew that they'd always find each other's again when needed.

And indeed – Ren hadn't even faltered as in the middle of the month long training period between the two first tasks and the Tournament that would conclude the chuunin Exam, he felt familiar Flames flares – and Yagami's awakening.
He'd simply smiled.

[Yagami / Age 9(15) / Level 105
Physical Main Stat 133(223): Strength 38(70) / Agility 72(119) / Endurance 23(34)
Spiritual Main Stat 155(232):Intelligence 62(95) / Will 37(51) / Wisdom 56(86)
Social Main Stat 114(199): Presence 21(33) / Perception 54(92) / Luck 39(74)
Secondary Stat:
Health Points 358(582) / HP regen/min 3,62(6,62) / Chakra Points 762 / CP regen/min 8,56
Damage 48,2(93,2) / Defense 27,5(49,8) / Reaction Speed 57,3(93,5)
Chakra control 43,4(65,4) / Chakra Density 42,7(67,7) / Mind Speed 60,2(92,3)
Critic Chance 23,4(60,2) / Critic Damage Multiplier 18,8(69), Loot Bonus 38,4(69,4)]

[Tsukimaru/ Age 12 / Level 65]
[Naoki/ Age 12 / Level 65]
[Fuki/ Age 12 / Level 65]

[Fuu/ Age 15 / Level 73]
[Yakumo/ Age 12 / Level 50]
[Karin/ Age 16 / Level 52]

[Kagami/ Age 68 / Level 123]